Chef Lisa LaValle Announces Retirement
After more than 10 years of successful collaboration, Chef Lisa LaValle has announced her retirement from Trellis Café at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, effective at the end of October.
Chef Lisa has been a true pioneer of fresh, delicious and seasonal cuisine in Des Moines. She spent her childhood in Pella, Iowa, the daughter of two college professors. Throughout college, Lisa worked in restaurants, and it was that experience which paved the way to her career as a chef. Lisa has followed in the footsteps of her parents, dedicating her time and expertise to teach and nurture future chefs and members of the community.
In addition to her leadership at Trellis, LaValle previously operated the Café at the Des Moines Art Center, and considers herself a “chef diplomat” through her participation in culinary events in France, Spain and China. Throughout her involvement in all of these, Chef Lisa is a champion for locally sourced ingredients and leverages her stunning culinary creations as an artistic outlet.
“Over the ten years of opening and operating Trellis at the Botanical Garden I’ve connected to so many people through our food and the beauty of the garden. I’ve had the freedom to prepare what I love and design a space that feels like an extension of my own imagination. I am grateful for the trust given to myself and our team to express our creativity through food and hospitality. It has been an honor to cook for you, cheers to your health.”
As the Chef/Owner of Trellis, LaValle’s retirement creates the opportunity for the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden to establish a new relationship for operation of the Café, and efforts are underway to secure a successor for Café operations.
Trellis Catering is now River Center Events and Catering!
Same fabulous team and location executing our off-site catering services – New Name!
River Center Events & Catering’s off-site services can range from a simple lunch drop-off to an up-scale rural tent wedding and anything in between, servicing the Des Moines metro and surrounding areas.We are your local source for fresh, innovative and beautifully crafted custom events.
Focused on delivering locally sourced menus that help bring an event to life and give them that memorable feel, let River Center Events & Catering customize an evening for you. Whether it is a boxed lunch at the Botanical Gardens for a large group visit or a beautifully set wedding reception or private dinner, we can guarantee you a unique experience with fresh ingredients and creative ideas.
River Center Events & Catering offers delicious made-from-scratch selections that are seasonally garden fresh and purchased locally. We use sustainable, eco-friendly and green culinary techniques and products in order to preserve the natural systems that create our beautiful world.
Hosting your own private event?
River Center Events & Catering takes the time and care to craft your special event to perfection. Give us a call for a free consultation today.
Catering Inquiries:
Phone: 515-330-1517
Email: eventsales@lhgroupdsm.com
Website: https://www.rivercenterdsm.com
Trellis Café
Trellis, a café by Chef/Owner Lisa LaValle, opened in December 2013. We are proud to offer a plant-inspired menu that rotates each month. In doing a rotating menu, we can ensure that our guests have access to fresh, seasonal menu items that are sourced locally.
Café Hours
Wednesday – Sunday
11am – 2pm
Reservations can be made for groups of 6 or more by contacting the direct phone number at 515.323.6288.
With its Terrace now open, the Skyline, Pond and Riverfront Garden views are a unique experience, and are just a short stroll up the Riverwalk. Trellis Cafe and Terrace can be rented for your next dinner, cooking class or cocktail party by reserving the space with the Botanical Garden event staff. For events, please call Trellis Catering at 515.330.1517 or email eventsales@trelliscafedsm.com for a delicious made-from-scratch menu created just for you. More information at www.DMBotanicalGarden.com
VENUES
Trellis Café is located in the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden at 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, IA 50316